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THE MANOR OF PEACE 



THE MANOR OF PEACE 

WARE, MASSACHUSETTS 



Reverend Grindall Rawson 
And His Ministry 



BY 

ALFRED BAYLIES PAGE 

Boston, Mass. 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 

1907 






Read before the Connecticut Valley Historical Society, 
12 February, i^oy, and printed for Mr. Edward 
H. Gilbert for private distribution. 



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i THE MANOR OF PEACE 



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A NEW ENGLAND PARISH OF THE 
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 

"The Manor of Peace" was the tranquil and hopeful 
name given in the early days to the parish embraced in the 
ten thousand acres of " Equivalent lands " in the settlement 
now known as the town of Ware. This tract of land came 
into the hands of "John Read, of Boston, Esq." by purchase, 
and comprised a part of the " Equivalent " lands given by 
Massachusetts to Connecticut in exchange for certain grants 
which proved to be within the bounds of the latter Colony. 

As early as 1748 (September 19), the number of settlers 
in this new frontier hamlet was large enough to lead Mr. 
Read to show his interest by giving a deed of certain lands 
" for the founding and Indowment of a Parish Church on 
the Ten Thousand acres of Equivalent lands, lying on the 
East side of Swift River, upon the Road from Brookfield 
to Hadley, and now called the mannor of Peace." This gift 
was to be held in trust " for the use of the first minister of 
God's Holy word and Sacraments " and his successors, " in 
pure and perpetual Almes," and " for the founding and 
continuance of a Parish Church and Christian Burying 
place," and " for a Glebe " for the benefi.t of the minister. 



4 THE MANOR OF PEACE 

A year and a half later the choice of their minister fell 
upon Mr. Grindall Rawson, a graduate of Harvard College 
in the Class of 1741, and a man of about thirty years of age, 
although the ministers of that time commonly entered upon 
their work much earlier in life. He accepted the call in a 
letter dated "Peace, Feb. 11, 1750" [1751], addressing his 
friends in these rather pompous phrases : 

My Brethren — Since you were so [entirely] unanimous in 
your invitation of me to settle with you, . . . [and] notwith- 
standing the great discouragements in regard to my outward 
subsistence at present, and the many satisfactions of life of 
which I foresee I must deny myself, more I believe than you 
are sensible of, ... I have concluded to comply with your 
request, ... 

. . . And that you may behave yourselves, as becomes know- 
ing, wise, and discreet Christians, nothing wavering or un- 
steady, shall ever be my prayer for you. 

Accustomed to a life of ease and scholarly pursuits, it is 
not hard to see that a step from this condition into the sur- 
roundings of a frontier parish was not attractive to the 
young gentleman. And there is about him an air of con- 
scious superiority, and a condescending determination to 
make the best of a disagreeable bargain. 

His ordination took place on May 8, 1751, and the ser- 
vices at the time are printed in one of the rare and cjuaint 
square pamphlets of that period, with this title: 



THE MANOR OF PEACE 5 

The faithful Minister's Trials, Qualifications, Work, and Reward 
described : Or, A distinguishing Reward in Heaven, One Grand Motive 
Christ propounds to his Ministers, to aiiivtate thetn to constant Fidelity 
in their Work, amidst all Trials and Difficiilties. 

A SERMON 

Preach'd at the Ma'nor of Peace, 

in the County of Hampshire, 

On May the 9th, 1751. 

At the 

ORDINATION 

Of the Reverend 

Mr. GRIND ALL RAW SON. 

By Ubomas Skinner, a.m. 

Pastor of the Second Church in Colchester. 

Published at the Desire, and Expence of the Heirs of the late Honourable 

John Read Esq ; and Others. 

N. B. That several Passages Omitted in the Delivery, are now Inserted. 

[12 lines from the Scriptures.] 

A^. LONDON, Printed and Sold by T. Green, MDCCLI. 

Square i2mo. pp. (2 1.). 49. (i). And a slip of Errata of 10 lines pasted in. 

There is a copy of this pamphlet in the library of the 
Massachusetts Historical Society and of the New York 
Historical Society. 



6 THE MANOR OF PEACE 

As in the early days the preachers quoted extensively 
from the Scriptures for illustration in their discourses, so 
in this instance, for the purpose of bringing our readers 
into a closer sympathy with the feelings of the people in 
spiritual matters at that time, rather copious extracts from 
this Ordination Sermon will be given. 

The preacher, Rev. Thomas Skinner, of Colchester, Con- 
necticut, introduces himself in these words : 

'Tis not any Fondness for appearing on this Solemn and 
Publick Occasion that has now brought me into the Sacred 
Desk ; but the repeated Requests and Importunity of the Pastor 
Elect, who will therefore (I presume) suffer me (who have had 
some Experience of the Trials Ministers are Incident unto) to 
mind Him of some of the Difficulties, He must Expect to meet 
with in the Work, which (God willing) He is now Solemnly to 
be introduced into, and from what Quarters these will arise . . . 

Had this Part of the Public Exercises of this Day devolved 
upon some Abler Hand, and more Experienc'd Pastor, we might 
justly [have] Expected to have been much more agreeably En- 
tertained now, than by one of the Least and most Unworthy of 
the Ministerial Order ; but since I have been prevailed upon to 
Undertake it, I trust my Reverend Fathers and Brethren in the 
Ministry present, will afford me their Candour and Patience, 
while I humbly Attempt to suggest some Thoughts and Medi- 
tations from the Words Read, suitable to this Solemnity, 

As to the embarrassments and difficulties in the field of 
ministerial work, the preacher continues, that "Of all Em- 
ployments, therefore, in this State [or condition of society] 



THE MANOR OF PEACE 7 

there is none attended with Cares, Tears, Difficulties and 
Temptations, that exceed, or equal, those that accompany 
the Work of a Gospel Minister," and this idea is, of course, 
further elaborated. 

Struggling against the " Corruption of their own Hearts," 
the ministers are also harassed by " The Stupidity, Security, 
and Ignorance of some, likewise the Wilfulness and Per- 
ve[r]seness of others, and the Wickedness and Negligence 
of most, in their Turns." And the classification of the future 
parishioners, as follows, is interesting and suggestive, even 
now: 

The Worldly, and Covetous Man, the Proud and Conceited 
Man, the Peevish, and Quarrelsome Man, the Erroneous, and 
Ungovernable Man, the Dishonest, and Unrighteous Man, the 
Backsliding, and Apostatising Professor, the Lukezvarm, and 
Formalist, the Se\i-Righteous, and Superstitious Bigot, often 
conspire to Oppose, and load them with Difficulties and Troubles, 
and sometimes, even Overwhelm and Deluge them [i. e. the 
ministers], as in an Ocean of Sorrozvs. 

And may I not add, here, That the Mad Enthusiast, the Man 
of great Heat, and Conceit, and little Light; under the Influ- 
ence of Prejudice, Blind Zeal, Rigid and Dividing Principles, 
Occasions them much Trouble, and many grievous Perplexities. 

After this graphic characterization, or arraignment if you 
like, of the young man's future congregation, it is not sur- 
prising to learn that, in the opinion of the preacher and 
under prevailing conditions, " Faith, Patience, Watchful- 



S THE MANOR OF PEACE 

ness and Fortitude are needful in Gospel Ministers, as well 
as Knowledge and Prudence." And the preacher offers to 
us, in contrast with his estimate of the parishioners, his view 
of the preachers in general, as follows : 

There is no People on Earth, perhaps, Notwithstanding the 
Endeavours of some to blacken them, and fill the minds of 
People with evil Surmises about them, favoured with a more 
Laborious, Faithful and Godly Ministry than the People of 
New-England. 

Even was this true at a time when the brilliancy of the 
ministerial galaxy had been lately dimmed by the loss of 
several shining lights, of whom this list is given: 

Of late, the Aged, Venerable, truly Pious and Learned Mr. 
Walter of Roxbury, Mr. Eells, of Scituate ; Mr. Burnham of 
Kensington; Mr, Brozvn of Brooklin, and Mr. Arthur of 
Brunswick. 

Since the Delivery of this Discourse the Venerable and Aged 
Mr. Whitman of Farmington ; the Upright & Learned Mr. 
Williams of Waltham. Also Mr. Meriam, & Mr. Griszvold, 
both Candidates of the Ministry, & in the very Bloom of Life. 

In the parting admonition to the people they are addressed 
and besought in this manner : " O then don't Despise Him, 
don't needlessly Grieve Him, either by your Contentions 
among your selves, or, with Him, or by being Unkind to 
Him ; Don't Reproach him, or Fault him for Plain and 
Close Dealing in the Pulpit, or out of it; and for being 
Severe against Sin, and Laying before you the Danger of 



THE MANOR OF PEACE 9 

Wallowing in beloved Lusts, and the Danger of Neglecting 
to Hear Christ's Calls, to Embrace the Gospel Offer, and 
Leading Wicked and Unholy Lives." 

To the generous benefactors of the parish for their timely 
gifts, the preacher pays his tribute by remarking to them 
that : " Had you been their natural Parents, and they the 
Children of your own Bowels, Methinks, you could not have 
Contributed much more Bountifully to their Assistance; in 
the great Work before them, of Settling a Minister, and 
Erecting an House for the Worship of God; which must 
have been very heavy in their low and infant State, on them. 
If not Insupportable, without your Help — And we hope 
you will still shew Kindness to this People, and to him who 
is now to be Introduced into the Pastoral Office among 
them" 

These extracts and notes disclose to the reader a fair and 
accurate view of the religious affairs of that time, which 
were at a low ebb. Moreover we catch glimpses of the 
state of mind of the Preacher behind the pulpit and the 
"People in front of it. 

In the particular case under consideration, however, these 
invocations and appeals for Divine help and for faithfulness 
on the part of the people did not immediately bring forth 
the desired results. In spite of all the hope and trust im- 
plied in the name given to the settlement, the happy antici- 
pations were not realized. The establishment of The Manor 



10 THE MANOR OF PEACE 

of Peace was still a dream of the future. Soon the parochial 
relations became strained, and disaffection arose, probably 
on both sides, and our newly settled minister " gladly 
accept [ed] the opportunity of releasing" himself from the 
settlement, where the people were strangers to him and the 
conditions those to which he had been unused. 

Fortunately for the purpose of our study, there exists in 
print the sermon delivered at Mr. Rawson's installation a 
few years later (1755) over another church. Certain allu- 
sions and references therein give further light for our story 
of a New England Parish of 1750. Considering all the 
circumstances and the relations of our friend with his former 
parish, which we have seen were not altogether happy and 
peaceful, the words of the preacher at his installation over 
a new field become peculiarly significant and earnest in an 
exceptional way. On this occasion the venerable and rev- 
erend Ebenezer Gay, of Hingham, addresses the congrega- 
tion at Yarmouth in these words : 

The Relation of Pastor and People is sacred ; the Duties 
respectively incumbent on them are great and weighty, the Dis- 
charge of which requires a firm and lasting Attachment to 
each other. It is usual, on such Occasions as this, for the 
Monitor unto both, to enlarge principally upon the Minister's 
strict Engagements to the People, over whom he is ordain'd, 
or install'd; and thence infer their reciprocal Obligations to 
Him. My reverend and honoured Hearers will allow me, at 



THE MANOR OF PEACE ii 

this Time, to invert the Order, and begin my Discourse with 
this divine Admonition to the People. 

After appealing to the congregation " to forsake not the 
Levite, their Minister " and admonishing the people not to 
" join with those who say to them, ' Come, and let us devise 
Devices against him, and let us smite him with the Tongue, 
and not give heed to any of his Words,' " the preacher 
continues : 

People should further take heed, that they forsake not the 
Minister, under whom they are orderly placed, for another, as 
truly authorised, and equally, or even better able, to teach. It 
is the Ordinance of God, that every Pastor should have his 
own Flock to attend, and take heed unto: And every Flock 
should adhere to it's own faithful Pastor. People should take 
heed, that they do not out of Levity and Inconstancy of Mind, 
or the Itching of their Ears after Novelties [ ! !], or the Preva- 
lence of some foolish Humour: or sinful Corruption, heap to 
themselves Teachers, and go after Strangers. 

These remarks and those addressed especially to the new 
minister are frank and honest expressions of the feeling in 
matters of religion at the time. Particular significance 
attaches to the reference to the former pastorate which is 
given in these lines: 

You (Dear Brother), cannot, and others (I hope) will not, 
misconstrue the present Discourse, as impeaching your Conduct 
in the Separation which hath happen'd betwixt you and the 
People, over which you was ordain'd. The Reasons and 
Grounds of it were examin'd by proper Judges, who acquitted 



12 THE MANOR OF PEACE 

you of all Blame in that Matter. And it would be very invid- 
ious in any to say unto you, as Eliab did to David, who, by his 
Father's Order, brought a fresh supply of Provision for his 
Brethren at the Camp of Israel; Why camest thou down 
hither? and with whom hast thou left those few Sheep in the 
Wilderness? As your Dismission from the Care of a little 
Flock was regular, so your Call to take the Over-sight of this 
is (we trust) clear. And it is now incumbent on you, to take 
heed unto your self, that you forsake not this people, by any 
straying Steps in the Course of your Ministry : And that you 
give them no Offence in any Thing, or occasion to forsake you. 
The Work of the Ministry was, at your Seperation to it, clearly 
and fully set before you, in a Sermon which you have in your 
Hand. [This was the Rev. Mr. Skinner's Sermon which has 
been referred to in the early part of this article.] 

In his new pastorate, as minister of the Church in Yar- 
mouth, Massachusetts, for a few years our friend found easier 
circumstances and his lines fell in pleasanter places. This 
was true in many ways, for at that time the spiritual condi- 
tions prevailing in Barnstable County were exceptionally 
happy and flourishing. A remarkable group of faithful and 
honoured ministers were settled over the Cape towns, and 
religious affairs were at flood tide. Here, too, Mr. Rawson 
became a member of an aristocratic family by his marriage 
to Desire, daughter of Colonel Joseph Thacher. His last 
years were spent in quietude and retirement, and his trans- 
migration to the eternal Manor of Peace closed a life ex- 
ceeding the period allotted by the Psalmist. 



THE MANOR OF PEACE 13 

As a matter of record it may be well to state here that 
our Grindall Rawson, of Ware and Yarmouth, was born at 
Dorchester on 30 July, 1721, the son of Peletiah and Hannah 
(Hall) Rawson and great-grandson of the noted Colo- 
nial Secretary, Edward Rawson ; and in " Thomas's Massa- 
chusetts Spy" (Worcester), December 17, 1794, appears 
the following brief notice of his death : " At Sutton, Nov. 
i8th, the Rev. Grindall Rawson, of Dover, formerly min- 
ister of Yarmouth, aged 73." This item contains, so far as 
I have been able to discover, the only record of the death of 
the Harvard College graduate of 1741, who had perhaps 
been living just previously in Dover, New Hampshire, with 
the family of his son Jonathan. 



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